Yes, laser resurfacing is considered worth it by many patients due to its ability to deliver significant skin improvements with minimal downtime and cost compared to surgical options.
Laser resurfacing can cause treated skin to become darker or lighter than it was before treatment. This is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation when the skin darkens and postinflammatory hypopigmentation when the skin loses color. People with brown or Black skin have a higher risk of long-term skin color changes.
CO2 laser resurfacing has been successfully used to treat wrinkles and scars as well as other benign skin growths such as warts, birthmarks, rhinophyma (enlarged oil glands on the nose), and other skin conditions.
While it might take a few weeks (or months) to see the full results from laser resurfacing, most patients will get to enjoy those results for several years – sometimes up to five years – following the procedure.
The average cost for ablative laser resurfacing is approximately $2,509. This figure can vary based on several factors. These include the specific type of treatment and the provider's experience.
Individuals up to their 50s benefit greatly from laser fractional resurfacing treatments. Skin concerns like sun damage and deeper wrinkles are common in this age group.
MicroLaserPeel is different and much more effective at rejuvenating the skin than microdermabrasion or chemical peels. It is also less invasive than Laser Skin Resurfacing, so the recovery time is significantly less.
Laser resurfacing helps reduce the appearance of acne scars; however, it is not for clients who still have active acne. Patients who have very dark skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take specific medications like Accutane may not be viable candidates for laser resurfacing.
For most patients, laser skin resurfacing is not painful or causes very little pain that is manageable. Some people describe the feeling during a laser procedure as a stinging sensation or the feeling of a rubber band being pulled taut and snapped across the skin.
Most patients need 3 to 4 laser skin resurfacing sessions for optimal results. But some patients also need a lot more sessions. You should also opt for maintenance treatments once or twice a year to maintain flawless skin.
Laser skin resurfacing prices will be based on the expertise and qualifications of the person performing the procedure, the type of procedure used, the time and effort the treatment requires, as well as geographic office location.
Depending on the treatment, some people may have what looks like a severe sunburn. The skin will be raw, oozing and may even blister. A yellow liquid may ooze from treated areas to form a crust. Do not scratch or pick at crusts because this can cause scarring.
Overexposure to laser light can result in skin burns, varying in severity from mild redness and discomfort to more blistering, severe burns. Individuals with sensitive skin or undergoing multiple laser therapy sessions in a short timeframe are at a higher risk of experiencing these burns.
Determining the Laser Skin Resurfacing Cost
There are many things that can cause the price of laser skin treatment to change a lot. A single treatment session usually costs between $500 and $3,000. But it's important to keep in mind that you might need more than one lesson to get the results you want.
Laser skin resurfacing is best for patients who want to minimize wrinkling, improve the skin's tone and texture, and treat discoloration. The following types of sun damage are best treated with IPL: Pigmentation changes such as age spots, liver spots (solar lentigines), and freckles.
The average cost of laser skin resurfacing is $1,200-$3,500 for non-ablative therapies and up to $4,500 for ablative therapies. Ablative lasers remove skin cells from the surface of the skin, while non-ablative lasers do not and typically work by delivering heat to lower dermal layers.
Even if you don't see immediate improvement, your initial results will continue to improve throughout the year. On average, most patients get to enjoy silky-smooth skin that lasts for anywhere between three and five years after undergoing laser therapy.
While laser hair removal can cause discomfort, the level of pain varies depending on the treatment area, skin sensitivity, and individual tolerance. The bikini line, underarms, and facial areas are often reported as the most painful, while legs and arms are usually more comfortable.
A typical result is an 8-10 year reduction in age appearance when laser treatment on the face is done on a highly effective setting so that a 55 year old may look 46 after treatment and healing is complete. Milder treatments can be done, but are not as effective.
As more and more celebrities swear off of injectables like Botox and fillers, many are turning to intensive laser treatments to keep their skin youthful and glowing.
The best in class for wrinkle removal, treatment of crow's feet, sun damage removal and overall skin rejuvenation is the Fraxel Re:pair laser. Yes, there is some downtime with Fraxel, but after a couple days looking like you have a sunburn, your skin will look 10 years younger, tighter and completely refreshed.
Microneedling is better for darker skin tones, whereas Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing is used more frequently with lighter skin tones. Many clients believe the results with Fractional Laser Skin Resurfacing are better than with Microneedling.